Welcome back to another day of NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are happening and gives our predictions for each one, breaking down head-to-head and other factors that may play in. We also have a featured game of the day, which is considered must-watch TV. Today’s featured game is the Anaheim Ducks vs Vancouver Canucks. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days.
We want to wish our readers a very Happy Easter to those that celebrate.
NHL Predictions
Anaheim Ducks vs Vancouver Canucks
Head-to-Head: Ducks 0-2 Canucks
TV: TNT; Max; Sportsnet Pacific; Sportsnet 360
The Ducks Side
Anaheim is expected to start with Lukas Dostal in between the pipes. However, always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. John Gibson starting the night before against the Edmonton Oilers will have Dostal starting the Easter game. The game also has a mid-afternoon start time, so keep that in mind when setting lineups. Anaheim is 1-8-1 in the last 10 games and lost the last four contests. The Ducks have kept both meetings close between the two teams this season. However, Anaheim has only scored one goal in each of the first games with Vancouver. Frank Vatrano leads the team in goals with 30 while Troy Terry leads the club in assists with 30. Alex Killorn has three goals and one assist over the last 10 games.
The Ducks are struggling to stay out of the penalty box by taking 15 penalties in the last two games heading into Saturday’s matchup with the Oilers.
The Canucks Side
Vancouver is expected Arturs Silovs his first start of the season in goal. The Canucks figure this is a chance to start Silovs in goal with Casey DeSmith shouldering the load in recent weeks. This is due to the Thatcher Demko injury that has seen the American netminder miss a number of games. Elias Lindholm also missed Thursday night’s game against the Dallas Stars. Vancouver is 6-3-1 in the last games. However, the Canucks have dropped the last two games at home.
There is some concern about Quinn Hughes, who leads the team in assists with 68, and his ankle. He did not return after twisting his ankle. The Canucks have a 16-4-4 record in games they score one or more power-play goals.
Prediction
The uncertainty surrounding Silovs gives the Ducks a chance in this game. It’s unknown how the Latvian netminder will perform in this game. However, the Canucks are in need of getting back on the winning track. This should be considered a “get-right” game for the Canucks and they should take advantage of it.
Prediction: Canucks win 4-2.
Prop Bets of the Night
With only one game on the docket, we figure some good prop bets might be worth a play in this one. Let’s start with the Anaheim side and Trevor Zegras. Sometimes the mercurial forward can be inconsistent. However, he does like putting pucks on the net. We suggest taking Zegras and over the on +3.0 shots on goal. Another good play could be taking Dostal and the over on +25.5 saves in this one. Dostal made 29 saves in the last meeting, which was a 2-1 win for Vancouver.
As for Vancouver, we’ll go with Filip Hronek getting the over on +1.0 points for this game. Hronek has gotten points in both meetings so far this season. Brock Boeser could also be worth a play in the goals department since he’s scored in both meetings so far. Another solid play could be J.T. Miller, who has also gotten points in both games this season.
Main photo by: Jason Parkhurst – USA TODAY Sports
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